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The Vampire Diaries: Stefan's Diaries #2
The Vampire Diaries: Bloodlust
A new beginning . . .
When Stefan Salvatore's first love turned him into a vampire, his worldand his soulwere destroyed. Now he and his brother, Damon, must flee their hometown, where they risk being discovered . . . and killed.
The brothers head to New Orleans, looking for safe haven. But the city is more dangerous than they ever imagined, full of other vampiresand vampire hunters. Will Stefan's eternal life be forever damned?
Based on the popular CW TV show inspired by the bestselling novels, Stefan's Diaries reveals the truth about what really happened between Stefan, Damon, and Katherineand how the Vampire Diaries love triangle began.
256 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 4, 2011
About the author
L.J. Smith
348 books112k followersSmith was born in Villa Park, Orange County, California. In interviews, she has said she realized she wanted to be a writer sometime between kindergarten and first grade, “when a teacher praised a horrible poem I’d written”, and began writing in earnest in elementary school. Smith received a Bachelor of Arts degree in Experimental Psychology from the University of California at Santa Barbara in 1987, followed by teaching credentials in Elementary education and Special education from San Francisco State University.
She taught kindergarten and special education for several years before becoming a full-time writer. Her first book, The Night of the Solstice, was published by MacMillan in 1987, followed by, Heart of Valor in 1990, and the 4-volume Vampire Diaries series in 1991-2. Three trilogies followed: The Secret Circle (1992), The Forbidden Game (1994), and Dark Visions (1995). The first installment of her popular Night World series was published in 1996, followed by eight more over the next two years. In 1998, Smith began a decade-long hiatus from writing, returning in 2008 with a new Web site and a series of new short stories. The Vampire Diaries series was reissued in 2007, followed by re-printings of The Secret Circle trilogy and Night World series in 2008/2009. The Night of the Solstice and Heart of Valor was also reissued in 2008. Three new Vampire Diaries installments were published in 2009 and 2010.
Smith lived in the San Francisco Bay area “with one dog, three cats, and about ten thousand books.”
She passed away on March 8th, 2025, after a lengthy illness.
She taught kindergarten and special education for several years before becoming a full-time writer. Her first book, The Night of the Solstice, was published by MacMillan in 1987, followed by, Heart of Valor in 1990, and the 4-volume Vampire Diaries series in 1991-2. Three trilogies followed: The Secret Circle (1992), The Forbidden Game (1994), and Dark Visions (1995). The first installment of her popular Night World series was published in 1996, followed by eight more over the next two years. In 1998, Smith began a decade-long hiatus from writing, returning in 2008 with a new Web site and a series of new short stories. The Vampire Diaries series was reissued in 2007, followed by re-printings of The Secret Circle trilogy and Night World series in 2008/2009. The Night of the Solstice and Heart of Valor was also reissued in 2008. Three new Vampire Diaries installments were published in 2009 and 2010.
Smith lived in the San Francisco Bay area “with one dog, three cats, and about ten thousand books.”
She passed away on March 8th, 2025, after a lengthy illness.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 431 reviews
January 11, 2012
I always wonder how Damon turned out to be THE DAMON we see in the TV series. This novel provides the background to this mystery and reveals the beginning of the brotherly feud.
Damon and Stefan are always the polar opposite to each other. Stefan has a noble presence but a calculated persona. Damon, on the other hand, uses his playboy-ish facade to hide his charismatic qualities. Stefan was fortunate to be taken in by Lexi and given the opportunity to learn about alternative diet while Damon was captured and tortured by the Gallanger gang.
Although it is written from Stefan's perspective, Damon has clearly captured the spotlight. In comparison, Stefan is like a lost boy trying to find his way while Damon is a man fighting for his destiny. The death of Katherine, the despicable submission to his first human bloodlust, and the torture by the Gallanger circus probably pushed Damon to the breaking point and transformed him into the Damon we love-to-hate and hate-to-love in the TV series.
Bravo to Kevin Williamson (& Julie Plec) in developing the Stefan's Diaries series. I truly enjoy this novel.
Damon and Stefan are always the polar opposite to each other. Stefan has a noble presence but a calculated persona. Damon, on the other hand, uses his playboy-ish facade to hide his charismatic qualities. Stefan was fortunate to be taken in by Lexi and given the opportunity to learn about alternative diet while Damon was captured and tortured by the Gallanger gang.
Although it is written from Stefan's perspective, Damon has clearly captured the spotlight. In comparison, Stefan is like a lost boy trying to find his way while Damon is a man fighting for his destiny. The death of Katherine, the despicable submission to his first human bloodlust, and the torture by the Gallanger circus probably pushed Damon to the breaking point and transformed him into the Damon we love-to-hate and hate-to-love in the TV series.
Bravo to Kevin Williamson (& Julie Plec) in developing the Stefan's Diaries series. I truly enjoy this novel.
November 20, 2010
***SPOILER ALERT!***
Stefan Salvatore, a week old vampire, escapes from the people of Mystic Falls with his brother - Damon Salvatore - and ends up in New Orleans. At first, he believed that they own the world, the people who surrounds them is like a all-you-can-eat-buffet. Little did he know that he was doing the wrong thing. His brother (Damon) decides to go a separate way from Stefan, with two goals in mind; to be strong and make his brother's life a living hell.
Stefan then meets Lexi, a century old vampire who takes him under her wing and tries to teach him how a real vampire is suppose to behave. He learns that if you feed from people you'll go crazy with Power and get yourself killed, and that eating from animals is not that bad.
Damon then is captured by a horrible man who own a freak show, and wants him to die to sell his blood. But our poor Damon is stronger than what he looks. That is when Stefan then decides to rescue his brother, falling in love at the same time with Cellie, who is the bosses daughter.
After rescuing Damon, Stefan believes that he has done his brother a big favor, and that he should be grateful. Well if being grateful is killing the only human who you found out that loved you for who you were and what you were, and then decides to kill you, then I must be kissing my enemies.
Stefan then leaves New Orleans to stay away from any human contact, and from his brother, living in a 'cave' in Central Park, New York.
I really enjoyed the book. It gives you a little idea as to why Damon hates Stefan so much. If you are a Vampire seeker, I recommend this book.
Stefan Salvatore, a week old vampire, escapes from the people of Mystic Falls with his brother - Damon Salvatore - and ends up in New Orleans. At first, he believed that they own the world, the people who surrounds them is like a all-you-can-eat-buffet. Little did he know that he was doing the wrong thing. His brother (Damon) decides to go a separate way from Stefan, with two goals in mind; to be strong and make his brother's life a living hell.
Stefan then meets Lexi, a century old vampire who takes him under her wing and tries to teach him how a real vampire is suppose to behave. He learns that if you feed from people you'll go crazy with Power and get yourself killed, and that eating from animals is not that bad.
Damon then is captured by a horrible man who own a freak show, and wants him to die to sell his blood. But our poor Damon is stronger than what he looks. That is when Stefan then decides to rescue his brother, falling in love at the same time with Cellie, who is the bosses daughter.
After rescuing Damon, Stefan believes that he has done his brother a big favor, and that he should be grateful. Well if being grateful is killing the only human who you found out that loved you for who you were and what you were, and then decides to kill you, then I must be kissing my enemies.
Stefan then leaves New Orleans to stay away from any human contact, and from his brother, living in a 'cave' in Central Park, New York.
I really enjoyed the book. It gives you a little idea as to why Damon hates Stefan so much. If you are a Vampire seeker, I recommend this book.
January 15, 2012
Opening Line:"It was October. The trees of the cemetery had turned a decayed brown, and a cold breeze had whistled in, replacing the stifling heat of the Virginia summer."
For some reason I went into Volume 2 of this series thinking it was going to be told from Damon’s POV. Yeah I know it states quite clearly in the title “Stefan’s Diaries” but the photo of Ian Somerhalder on the cover threw me. Anyways, we are again in Stefan’s head, joining him directly after the end of Origins The Salvatore brothers are attending their father’s funeral in Mystic Falls and trying to come to terms with the fact that they are now vampires. Catherine is gone (never to reappear in this book) and the Civil War rages on.
I should mention that while this is based on author L.J. Smith's original characters and historical flashbacks from the TV series it’s not really connected to either and reads just fine as a stand alone. I would especially recommend it to historical romance fans and the fact that it’s YA isn’t really an issue here either.
Stefan is embracing his new powers as a vampire although his additional strength, speed and ever present hunger are going to take a while to get used to. Damon on the other hand has all but given up, refusing to feed and hating what Stefan has turned him into. Before long the brothers are discovered and chased out of town, hopping a train bound for New Orleans they're looking for safety and a new life. Stefan begins to experience bloodlust and manages to drain several passengers before they arrive while Damon continues to hate everything about his new existence especially his brother.
The majority of our story takes place in the New Orleans of 1864. The Salvatore brothers are at odds and soon separate with Stefan going on a killing spree before being adopted by a “family” of Vampires. Under Lexi’s guidance Stefan is quickly taught “how to be a better vampire” existing on animal blood and flexing his powers of mind control.
Meanwhile Damon gets caught by a vampire hunter and sold to a circus, shackled with vervain he’s forced to perform in fights to the death. Despite it all a bond still exists between them and Stefan soon devises a plan to rescue his brother, he just didn’t expect to fall in love in the process.
The epilogue of this instalment is fantastic, setting things up perfectly for the future Salvatore brothers we’ve come to know. Cheers
For some reason I went into Volume 2 of this series thinking it was going to be told from Damon’s POV. Yeah I know it states quite clearly in the title “Stefan’s Diaries” but the photo of Ian Somerhalder on the cover threw me. Anyways, we are again in Stefan’s head, joining him directly after the end of Origins The Salvatore brothers are attending their father’s funeral in Mystic Falls and trying to come to terms with the fact that they are now vampires. Catherine is gone (never to reappear in this book) and the Civil War rages on.
I should mention that while this is based on author L.J. Smith's original characters and historical flashbacks from the TV series it’s not really connected to either and reads just fine as a stand alone. I would especially recommend it to historical romance fans and the fact that it’s YA isn’t really an issue here either.
Stefan is embracing his new powers as a vampire although his additional strength, speed and ever present hunger are going to take a while to get used to. Damon on the other hand has all but given up, refusing to feed and hating what Stefan has turned him into. Before long the brothers are discovered and chased out of town, hopping a train bound for New Orleans they're looking for safety and a new life. Stefan begins to experience bloodlust and manages to drain several passengers before they arrive while Damon continues to hate everything about his new existence especially his brother.
The majority of our story takes place in the New Orleans of 1864. The Salvatore brothers are at odds and soon separate with Stefan going on a killing spree before being adopted by a “family” of Vampires. Under Lexi’s guidance Stefan is quickly taught “how to be a better vampire” existing on animal blood and flexing his powers of mind control.
Meanwhile Damon gets caught by a vampire hunter and sold to a circus, shackled with vervain he’s forced to perform in fights to the death. Despite it all a bond still exists between them and Stefan soon devises a plan to rescue his brother, he just didn’t expect to fall in love in the process.
The epilogue of this instalment is fantastic, setting things up perfectly for the future Salvatore brothers we’ve come to know. Cheers
May 15, 2016
The first book was a slow go as things rolled on which I guess is good because it gives the readers a chance to truly understand what the characters are going through and how they resolve their problems. In this book, there was a lot more action which is understandable since the story progresses. There is nothing wrong with it. It was definitely a page turner and all I have to say is that I can't wait to start the third one!
September 24, 2013
that ending will turn your gut every single time.
January 4, 2011
I'm a huge sucker for back story, so I knew right away when I heard of this series I'd be owning the books right away, and this one had me compelled right from the beginning
The first installment basically told us everything we already knew from the TV shows ... Stefan Salvatore had a dark past. This second book gave me a whole new outlook on the Stefan and Damon characters. Reading about a good Damon, the complete opposite of what the Salvatore brother's are know as now. It's a very interesting perspective on characters we already know and love.
The first installment basically told us everything we already knew from the TV shows ... Stefan Salvatore had a dark past. This second book gave me a whole new outlook on the Stefan and Damon characters. Reading about a good Damon, the complete opposite of what the Salvatore brother's are know as now. It's a very interesting perspective on characters we already know and love.
October 29, 2017
*Spoiler*
Not going to lie I got a bit emotional at the ending of this book especially after the death of Callie but I’m intrigued to read on within this series and find out how Stefan’s journey as a vampire goes. 👏🏼
Not going to lie I got a bit emotional at the ending of this book especially after the death of Callie but I’m intrigued to read on within this series and find out how Stefan’s journey as a vampire goes. 👏🏼
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 31, 2011
The Vampire Diaries: Stefan Diaries vol 2: Bloodlust by L.J. Smith, Kevin Williamson & Julie Plec
Plot: In Bloodlust Stefan chose’s to forget his human side and kill whoever he please and is trying to teach Damon that vampires kills humans, that´s just the order of things. Damon is filled with disgust and hatred for his brothers’ behavior and leaves him with a promise that if they ever meet again he will make Stefan pay for all the lives he has taken.
But soon Stefan sees Damon locked up in a cage in a circus and he has to save him no matter what. And in order to do that he needs the help from a human, Callie. And slowly she awakes the human side in him and he begins to regret all the awful things he´s done. But Damon is not one to forget, he has made a promise and he´s sticking to it. And there the century old torment between the brothers begins.
Title: This book is a follow up series for the TV show The Vampire Diaries, which is based on a series of books with the same name from the 90´s. They wrote these new books so that the viewers of The Vampire Diaries could get to know what happened in the very beginning when the main characters Stefan and Damon became vampires.
Setting: Mystic Falls, Virginia in the beginning, but mostly in New Orleans, 1864.
Characters: The main character Stefan Salvatore and his brother Damon Salvatore. Stefan was an obedient and loyal son when he was a human. He was very thoughtful and always did what he could to please others. But then when he turned into vampire it wasn’t just his teeth and instincts’ that changed. A vampire can choose to live entirely as a vampire, as a hunter with no guilt but vampires can also choose to keep their human side but then they´ll have to live with the pain and guilt for taken so many lives. And I think that Stefan got overwhelmed when he turned and he didn’t even consider living any different way because he was so caught up in it. But after falling for a human girl he remembers how it was to be human, and slowly he understands that what he´s done is wrong. And he tries to live only on animal blood. And he begins to see a future with this girl.
Damon Salvatore was a confederate soldier who stood up to his father and refused to fight a losing war. He is a charming, handsome ladies man who always goes his own way. And then he falls head over heels in love with the vampire Katherine. And unlike his brother Damons accepts and loves Katherine for what she is. And when his always good brother gives in to the edge of blood Damon can’t see himself live a life without her, let alone all eternity. He is an honest down to earth guy who gets enough of his brothers’ sick behavior. It seems like Damon took all Stefan’s killings very personally, cause he was against taking innocent lives. That is a part of why he left the army I think. And then I simply gets enough when Stefan comes to rescue him. Sure he is about to change but that doesn’t change the past so Damon is determined to make Stefan pay.
Themes: The major theme I think is the bond between the two brothers. And love, but also guilty pleasures, like killing.
Perspective: In a historical perspective it seems correct. Everything from the clothes and to the songs that they sing, like God save the south by Charles W. A. Ellerbrock. The language and their manners are also very old-fashioned. They escort women home, bring them flowers and maybe steel a kiss or to but never more. Well if not Stefan takes a chunk off their necks.
Interesting scenes: Damon says this to Stefan before he leaves in page 46.
“I´d rather be weak than a monster. I want no part in your killing spree. And if our paths ever cross again, I swear I will avenge all of your murders, brother.”
I think that this is a very interesting scene because in later on in the present time Damon is the one who acts like a true vampire and Stefan only drinks animal blood and has turned good. And he has the nerve to call Damon a monster, even though he knows well how it feels and that it is his fault for pushing him to be who he is today.
Composition: This is the second book in the Stefan Diaries series so it picks up right where it left off in 1864 when Stefan last wrote in his diary. The two brothers Stefan and Damon Salvatore both fell for the same vampire woman Katherine. But only Damons feelings for her were true while Stefan was compelled to do whatever she wanted him to, like drink her blood. Damon on the other hand did it by free will.
When the town found out that they had befriended a vampire they all got killed, Stefan and Damon shot by their own father. The next day they stood before a difficult choice, whether to drink human blood and become vampires or die in a matter of hours. Stefan accidently tasted human blood and discovered his new powers, like speed, strength, better eyesight and the power to compel humans. Of course he wants Damon do turn as well so that they can concur the world together. But Damon doesn’t want to live without his great love Katherine so Stefan forces him to drink. And then they have to flee from their hometown where they are considered demons.
This is from the end of the book when Stefan writes in his diary after Damon has killed the girl Stefan was I love with.
Page 225
“So I made a vow to always keep moving, to never stay in one place too long or grow too close to anyone. That is the only way I´ll do no harm. Because God help us all if I ever fall in love with another human…”
This is the last sentence in the book. And it is such a great ending for everyone who watched the TV series because it is exactly what the series is about.
Own opinion: I absolutely loved this book! The story, the honest, revealing way it was written. I believe that anyone who is hocked on the TV series is always hungry for more and this book stills the hunger. Or well, at least for a while. You always want more and they keep bringing it. It is such a detailed book that answers many of the questions you get from watching the show.
And I think it´s incredible that the author of the original Vampire Diaries books and the two writers and producers on the TV show could write this series together. It´s a beautiful cooperation.
Jessica Svensson Rosberg
MP3
Plot: In Bloodlust Stefan chose’s to forget his human side and kill whoever he please and is trying to teach Damon that vampires kills humans, that´s just the order of things. Damon is filled with disgust and hatred for his brothers’ behavior and leaves him with a promise that if they ever meet again he will make Stefan pay for all the lives he has taken.
But soon Stefan sees Damon locked up in a cage in a circus and he has to save him no matter what. And in order to do that he needs the help from a human, Callie. And slowly she awakes the human side in him and he begins to regret all the awful things he´s done. But Damon is not one to forget, he has made a promise and he´s sticking to it. And there the century old torment between the brothers begins.
Title: This book is a follow up series for the TV show The Vampire Diaries, which is based on a series of books with the same name from the 90´s. They wrote these new books so that the viewers of The Vampire Diaries could get to know what happened in the very beginning when the main characters Stefan and Damon became vampires.
Setting: Mystic Falls, Virginia in the beginning, but mostly in New Orleans, 1864.
Characters: The main character Stefan Salvatore and his brother Damon Salvatore. Stefan was an obedient and loyal son when he was a human. He was very thoughtful and always did what he could to please others. But then when he turned into vampire it wasn’t just his teeth and instincts’ that changed. A vampire can choose to live entirely as a vampire, as a hunter with no guilt but vampires can also choose to keep their human side but then they´ll have to live with the pain and guilt for taken so many lives. And I think that Stefan got overwhelmed when he turned and he didn’t even consider living any different way because he was so caught up in it. But after falling for a human girl he remembers how it was to be human, and slowly he understands that what he´s done is wrong. And he tries to live only on animal blood. And he begins to see a future with this girl.
Damon Salvatore was a confederate soldier who stood up to his father and refused to fight a losing war. He is a charming, handsome ladies man who always goes his own way. And then he falls head over heels in love with the vampire Katherine. And unlike his brother Damons accepts and loves Katherine for what she is. And when his always good brother gives in to the edge of blood Damon can’t see himself live a life without her, let alone all eternity. He is an honest down to earth guy who gets enough of his brothers’ sick behavior. It seems like Damon took all Stefan’s killings very personally, cause he was against taking innocent lives. That is a part of why he left the army I think. And then I simply gets enough when Stefan comes to rescue him. Sure he is about to change but that doesn’t change the past so Damon is determined to make Stefan pay.
Themes: The major theme I think is the bond between the two brothers. And love, but also guilty pleasures, like killing.
Perspective: In a historical perspective it seems correct. Everything from the clothes and to the songs that they sing, like God save the south by Charles W. A. Ellerbrock. The language and their manners are also very old-fashioned. They escort women home, bring them flowers and maybe steel a kiss or to but never more. Well if not Stefan takes a chunk off their necks.
Interesting scenes: Damon says this to Stefan before he leaves in page 46.
“I´d rather be weak than a monster. I want no part in your killing spree. And if our paths ever cross again, I swear I will avenge all of your murders, brother.”
I think that this is a very interesting scene because in later on in the present time Damon is the one who acts like a true vampire and Stefan only drinks animal blood and has turned good. And he has the nerve to call Damon a monster, even though he knows well how it feels and that it is his fault for pushing him to be who he is today.
Composition: This is the second book in the Stefan Diaries series so it picks up right where it left off in 1864 when Stefan last wrote in his diary. The two brothers Stefan and Damon Salvatore both fell for the same vampire woman Katherine. But only Damons feelings for her were true while Stefan was compelled to do whatever she wanted him to, like drink her blood. Damon on the other hand did it by free will.
When the town found out that they had befriended a vampire they all got killed, Stefan and Damon shot by their own father. The next day they stood before a difficult choice, whether to drink human blood and become vampires or die in a matter of hours. Stefan accidently tasted human blood and discovered his new powers, like speed, strength, better eyesight and the power to compel humans. Of course he wants Damon do turn as well so that they can concur the world together. But Damon doesn’t want to live without his great love Katherine so Stefan forces him to drink. And then they have to flee from their hometown where they are considered demons.
This is from the end of the book when Stefan writes in his diary after Damon has killed the girl Stefan was I love with.
Page 225
“So I made a vow to always keep moving, to never stay in one place too long or grow too close to anyone. That is the only way I´ll do no harm. Because God help us all if I ever fall in love with another human…”
This is the last sentence in the book. And it is such a great ending for everyone who watched the TV series because it is exactly what the series is about.
Own opinion: I absolutely loved this book! The story, the honest, revealing way it was written. I believe that anyone who is hocked on the TV series is always hungry for more and this book stills the hunger. Or well, at least for a while. You always want more and they keep bringing it. It is such a detailed book that answers many of the questions you get from watching the show.
And I think it´s incredible that the author of the original Vampire Diaries books and the two writers and producers on the TV show could write this series together. It´s a beautiful cooperation.
Jessica Svensson Rosberg
MP3
January 18, 2011
I said in my review of Shadow Souls that it was time for L.J. Smith to hand over The Vampire Diaries series to someone else and work on an other series. I meant it in the best possible way, I like her books and want those that have her name on them to be good and to continue to be published. It feels like she's going off track and maybe her heart just isn't in this series anymore. Her other stuff is dying for some attention where as people working on this series on tv are doing a good job with saving it in my eyes. This book / line in the series is a good example of that. With the newer "Return" line of the series (which she is writing) I feel like I am reading because I have some sick devotion to the series, a "well I have to know what happens to the characters I love" thing.. But this (which she isn't writing) well I sincerely can't get enough.
It's a darker and grittier story than the books usually have been but very much in line with the television show. They are newly made. Loving the fact that they'll be young and beautiful and powerful forever. Hating it. Feeling betrayed. Wanting to kill kill kill. And not wanting to, preferring to die themselves. Oh wait, that's just Damon.
Yes, we learn how they change. How they become who they are as we see them today (again I cannot say this enough - this particular series is clearly meant for fans of the tv show but works for fans of the main book series too). The plot of this one is simple - the boys have been run out of town for being demons. Damon wants to die, resenting what Stefan has made him, resents the loss of Katherine, is angry, depressed, sulking, etc. Stefan, however, is enjoying his new life. They catch a train to New Orleans but split up once there as their different ideas of being a vampire and all of the anger are no good. Of course, nothing ever just ends just like that. One of them ends up captured and in danger. The other must play the hero. Along the way they must decide what it means to be vampire. If they have any humanity left. If vampires and humans can mix. If they're even still brothers and friends.
I cannot wait for the third one. The best thing L.J. Smith did was let someone write this line for her. I hope she's off pushing for the newest Night World novel to get to us or even something new as she's brilliant when she's doing her thing, same as whoever took this one over is. 5/5 stars
It's a darker and grittier story than the books usually have been but very much in line with the television show. They are newly made. Loving the fact that they'll be young and beautiful and powerful forever. Hating it. Feeling betrayed. Wanting to kill kill kill. And not wanting to, preferring to die themselves. Oh wait, that's just Damon.
Yes, we learn how they change. How they become who they are as we see them today (again I cannot say this enough - this particular series is clearly meant for fans of the tv show but works for fans of the main book series too). The plot of this one is simple - the boys have been run out of town for being demons. Damon wants to die, resenting what Stefan has made him, resents the loss of Katherine, is angry, depressed, sulking, etc. Stefan, however, is enjoying his new life. They catch a train to New Orleans but split up once there as their different ideas of being a vampire and all of the anger are no good. Of course, nothing ever just ends just like that. One of them ends up captured and in danger. The other must play the hero. Along the way they must decide what it means to be vampire. If they have any humanity left. If vampires and humans can mix. If they're even still brothers and friends.
I cannot wait for the third one. The best thing L.J. Smith did was let someone write this line for her. I hope she's off pushing for the newest Night World novel to get to us or even something new as she's brilliant when she's doing her thing, same as whoever took this one over is. 5/5 stars
December 1, 2010
Disappointing.
Reads like bad fanfiction by someone that has read descriptions of the characters but never actually watched the whole show.
Introducing Lexi seemed like a good idea, until she's drinking only animal blood which is in complete contradiction to her character on the show in which she is specifically shown drinking from blood bags (i.e. human) and she compliments Stefan on his restraint that she cannot match.
Damon's acting suicidal yet according to the tv series, he currently believes that Katherine is alive and trapped in the tomb having bargained with Emily for her protection. I know he's pissed off at Stefan but why would he risk death if he believes that Katherine's alive (undead)?
Then there's Stefan. Who falls in love again...wait what about Katherine and Elena, or does he just fall for every pretty girl that passes his way? According to this storyline Stefan has more reason to hate Damon than Damon him, yet in the tv series it is Damon who is set on tormenting Stefan for all eternity while Stefan just wants to get along.
Will probably try to read the third book but in the meantime I'm sure there's better in-character storylines in fanfiction.
Reads like bad fanfiction by someone that has read descriptions of the characters but never actually watched the whole show.
Introducing Lexi seemed like a good idea, until she's drinking only animal blood which is in complete contradiction to her character on the show in which she is specifically shown drinking from blood bags (i.e. human) and she compliments Stefan on his restraint that she cannot match.
Damon's acting suicidal yet according to the tv series, he currently believes that Katherine is alive and trapped in the tomb having bargained with Emily for her protection. I know he's pissed off at Stefan but why would he risk death if he believes that Katherine's alive (undead)?
Then there's Stefan. Who falls in love again...wait what about Katherine and Elena, or does he just fall for every pretty girl that passes his way? According to this storyline Stefan has more reason to hate Damon than Damon him, yet in the tv series it is Damon who is set on tormenting Stefan for all eternity while Stefan just wants to get along.
Will probably try to read the third book but in the meantime I'm sure there's better in-character storylines in fanfiction.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 21, 2011
Stefan and Damon are on the run after being found out as vampires in their hometown of Mystic Falls. They hop a train to where else but the vampire mecca of New Orleans. Stefan is feeding on humans left and right, while Damon refuses, angry that Stefan has condemned him to an eternity without Katherine. Once in New Orleans, Damon takes off and Stefan falls in with another group of vampires led by Lexi (you might remember her from season 1), who do not drink human blood.
Then Stefan finds that Damon has been captured by Gallagher, the head of a circus, and is going to be forced to fight a lion in an arena. He rushes in to free Damon, but Damon doesn't want to be freed. And Damon is much changed...
Finally Stefan goes back to his role as the long-suffering "vegetarian vampire" and Damon becomes the blood-thirsty one. The adventures in New Orleans are exciting although a bit far-fetched. I wasn't so sure about the relationship between Stefan and Callie Gallagher, since it makes it look like Stefan falls in love too easily. But this was a fun, fast read.
Then Stefan finds that Damon has been captured by Gallagher, the head of a circus, and is going to be forced to fight a lion in an arena. He rushes in to free Damon, but Damon doesn't want to be freed. And Damon is much changed...
Finally Stefan goes back to his role as the long-suffering "vegetarian vampire" and Damon becomes the blood-thirsty one. The adventures in New Orleans are exciting although a bit far-fetched. I wasn't so sure about the relationship between Stefan and Callie Gallagher, since it makes it look like Stefan falls in love too easily. But this was a fun, fast read.
October 4, 2012
These books were amazing. especially the origins.
May 6, 2020
Real rating; 3.5 stars This was not what I was expecting to be honest. I finally thought Stefan would met Elena and we could get to the juice but instead we have Stefan being a wild vampire, killing people and creating vampires. He also randomly falls in love with a girl even though he did not care about her for the first chunk of it. Then we have Damon who's still angry that he's a vampire and wants to die every single page but now he's vengeful and going to make Stefan's world hell which is...dramatic but ok. The ending was what saved this book for me.
June 23, 2024
I'm enjoying these Stefan Diaries wayyyyyy more than I should be. This story covers Stefan meeting Lexi. The setting is in New Orleans which is very fun for a vampire story.
So far these are way more fun than the original series. I think the brother's dynamic is just more interesting than the love story.
So far these are way more fun than the original series. I think the brother's dynamic is just more interesting than the love story.
August 20, 2025
3.75 stars rounded up
October 6, 2010
Bloodlust, volume two in Stefan’s Diaries, explores the (mis)adventures of Stefan and Damon during their early vampire existence in New Orleans (though in the show they don’t immediately leave Mystic Falls after the vampire eradication as they do here). At this point, their roles are reversed, with Stefan embracing the traditional vampire lifestyle and Damon shunning his new nature, choosing capture and torture over self-preservation. What has the TVD world come to!
We meet fan favorite Lexi, though I’m now confused. In the show, episode 2x15 The Dinner Party, we were led to believe Stefan and Lexi first met at a Civil War campsite and he took her in, whereas in this novel, Lexi’s motley crew of vampires find Stefan in a butcher’s shop and she takes him in. It’s discrepancies like this, and the timeline of living locations for the brothers, that decrease the validity of these novels as true prequels to the show.
However, the events in this book do lend more justifiable reasoning to the cantankerous relationship between the Salvatore brothers on the show. It’s one thing to have exposition dialogue and hazy flashbacks explain that Damon and Stefan were not always the best of friends because of their doomed love triangle with Katherine; it’s quite another to see how the feud extended beyond the locus of unresolved issues with their sire. Damon vowed to make his brother’s life a living hell, and boy does he ever follow through. I especially enjoyed when Damon and Stefan were pit against each other, Roman Gladiator-style, i.e. to the death. Now that would make one amazing, and revealing, flashback!
By the end of this novel, their defining characteristics—Damon as the human-killing-blood-thirsty-egomaniac and Stefan as the good vegetarian vampire/brother—take and hold shape. While I do not look forward to more puzzling revisionist history/back story, I do want to read the next and last novel in this first series of prequels. I quite enjoy them, more than L.J. Smith’s original TVD series.
P.S. I feel bad for whoever is writing these prequels, because they get absolutely no credit, poor dude/dudette.
We meet fan favorite Lexi, though I’m now confused. In the show, episode 2x15 The Dinner Party, we were led to believe Stefan and Lexi first met at a Civil War campsite and he took her in, whereas in this novel, Lexi’s motley crew of vampires find Stefan in a butcher’s shop and she takes him in. It’s discrepancies like this, and the timeline of living locations for the brothers, that decrease the validity of these novels as true prequels to the show.
However, the events in this book do lend more justifiable reasoning to the cantankerous relationship between the Salvatore brothers on the show. It’s one thing to have exposition dialogue and hazy flashbacks explain that Damon and Stefan were not always the best of friends because of their doomed love triangle with Katherine; it’s quite another to see how the feud extended beyond the locus of unresolved issues with their sire. Damon vowed to make his brother’s life a living hell, and boy does he ever follow through. I especially enjoyed when Damon and Stefan were pit against each other, Roman Gladiator-style, i.e. to the death. Now that would make one amazing, and revealing, flashback!
By the end of this novel, their defining characteristics—Damon as the human-killing-blood-thirsty-egomaniac and Stefan as the good vegetarian vampire/brother—take and hold shape. While I do not look forward to more puzzling revisionist history/back story, I do want to read the next and last novel in this first series of prequels. I quite enjoy them, more than L.J. Smith’s original TVD series.
P.S. I feel bad for whoever is writing these prequels, because they get absolutely no credit, poor dude/dudette.
January 24, 2015
I don’t know who’s actually writing this, but they need to learn how to write or give it up. I’m a huge fan of the show Vampire Diaries and at least the original books weren’t too bad for teen paranormal fiction, but this novel is painfully slow and dull. Since it doesn’t follow the original books nor does it follow (or enhance) the t.v. show, it serves no purpose. The author is unable to capture the beauty of New Orleans, 1860s dialogue, costuming, or the incredible characters of Stefan and Damon. Research is so important for historical fiction and this book clearly doesn’t have it.
It didn’t actually take me very long to read the book; but it was so dismal, stiff, and boring (even Lexi) that I set it aside a lot and had to force myself to pick it up and finish. Mainly I wanted more Damon, so I kept at it, but since this is Stefan’s diaries, he’s not in it enough for me. I definitely won’t be reading this series again.
It didn’t actually take me very long to read the book; but it was so dismal, stiff, and boring (even Lexi) that I set it aside a lot and had to force myself to pick it up and finish. Mainly I wanted more Damon, so I kept at it, but since this is Stefan’s diaries, he’s not in it enough for me. I definitely won’t be reading this series again.
December 12, 2018
I absolutely love Stefan’s Diaries! Of course, I’m a little obsessed with “The Vampire Diaries” in general, but these books are fantastic. This one was not quite as good as the first one, but I still gave it 5 stars because it was pretty close. Can’t wait for the third one!
April 14, 2014
That cover though...
January 4, 2025
I hated every single things in this book and I thanks God it only cost me less than 1€
March 6, 2018
Origins with Damon being furious with Stafan. Where Bloodlust takes off with the brothers leaving Mystic Falls togheter. I suspected Damon would took off all by himself.
I like the beginning and the end. But in between the hole freak show part was not fun to read. I didn't recognize Origin nor TVshow Stefan in that part.
Lexi was cool, but I think TVshow Lexi is a better character as Stefans friend.
The end made all the freakshow happening even.
Damon shows himself more and we finaly get to see good - vegetarian - not harming human Stefan.
Overal a quick read. Next up The Craving
I like the beginning and the end. But in between the hole freak show part was not fun to read. I didn't recognize Origin nor TVshow Stefan in that part.
Lexi was cool, but I think TVshow Lexi is a better character as Stefans friend.
The end made all the freakshow happening even.
Damon shows himself more and we finaly get to see good - vegetarian - not harming human Stefan.
Overal a quick read. Next up The Craving
April 8, 2022
Știam din serial ca cei doi vor ajunge si prin New Orléans, dar nu ma gândeam ca vor ajunge așa repede si nici ca acțiunea va avea loc la un circ!😳🎪
Pentru mine a fost o adevarata aventura, dar tot nu mi-a plăcut comportamentul lui Damon care încă trăia in trecut la faza cu Katherine.
M-am bucurat ca am dat de Lexi, deși nici la asta nu ma prea așteptam sinceră să fiu… A fost o surpriză plăcută, cu toate că eu așteptam ceva mai mult de la Stefan și Lexi, atât în serial cât și în carte🙈
Categoric mi-a plăcut mai mult volumul acesta decât cel anterior💕
Pentru mine a fost o adevarata aventura, dar tot nu mi-a plăcut comportamentul lui Damon care încă trăia in trecut la faza cu Katherine.
M-am bucurat ca am dat de Lexi, deși nici la asta nu ma prea așteptam sinceră să fiu… A fost o surpriză plăcută, cu toate că eu așteptam ceva mai mult de la Stefan și Lexi, atât în serial cât și în carte🙈
Categoric mi-a plăcut mai mult volumul acesta decât cel anterior💕
August 31, 2018
Je dois avouer que je ne me rappelle pas bien de certains passages de la série, donc, pour ce tome, j'allais en aveugle (ou pas, je ne sais pas haha).
J'ai assez bien aimé, j'ai surtout aimé le fait que Lexi soit là; car c'est un personnage que j'aime beaucoup.
Il me tarde clairement de lire la suite !
J'ai assez bien aimé, j'ai surtout aimé le fait que Lexi soit là; car c'est un personnage que j'aime beaucoup.
Il me tarde clairement de lire la suite !
October 24, 2020
Velká nostalgie, ale... četlo se to skvěle. Boží oddechovka, pokud se chcete vrátit k bratrům Salvatorům. Oproti Upířím deníkům daleko lepší, ať co se týče jazyka, tak i postav. Stefana sice nemám ráda, ale jako hrdina mi tu přišel ok. Oproti mému milovanému Damonovi.
3.5/5*
3.5/5*
September 3, 2020
I read it really fast and enjoyed it but I just know so many books that are just better so it only got 3 stars.
February 23, 2021
I really love reading about how Stefan and Damon became who they are in the tv series!
April 9, 2024
Daddy Damon😩
June 5, 2025
Stefan’s still a bitch
October 20, 2025
ok, this series is getting on my nerves. this could've been better. the authors had all the elements to write this story. we just needed someone who knows how to write... the first volume was very much ok but volume 2 was repetitive. you can't be repetitive with a 250 pages novel... i am sorry but it just gives me fanfic at this point. not gonna continue...
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